New findings have been made by the Swedish police in the pursuit of the stolen royal regalia.
According to a source that has spoken to the Swedish newspaper Expressen, the police is undergoing an intensive search in the coastal area of Roslagen.
Police spokesperson Kristian Agneklev cannot confirm or deny that the stolen objects have been found but told the paper: “We have had a good investigation. This case has or highest priority and the work is intensive.”
The burial crown of King Karl IX. Photo: Swedish police.
According to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, has there has also been made new findings in the Strängnäs cathedral where the royal regalia was exhibited. It is alleged that the police has discovered traces of blood that can be linked to one of the thieves.
According to Aftonbladet’s data, one of the perpetrators may have been injured during the theft and left bloodstains afterwards on one of the benches in Strängnäs Cathedral where the regalia were kept. The paper reports that the blood may be linked to a known criminal who lives in Åkersberga, in Österåkers municipality north of Stockholm. The police have not wanted to comment on this and will not say if they have arrested the person.
The burial crown of Queen Kristina. Photo: Swedish police.
Stefan Dangardt from the Swedish police said: “The investigation work is progressing but I have nothing to confirm or deny. We are still interested in getting in touch with all persons who may have made observations regarding this case.”
The police’s theory is that the perpetrators disappeared from the cathedral on women’s bicycles before switching to a boat nearby and traveling west towards Stockholm. According to data from Aftonbladet, the value of the objects is set to be around SEK 120 million.
It was on Tuesday afternoon last week when parts of the Swedish Royal Regalia were stolen from the Strängnäs Cathedral. It was the two royal crowns of King Karl IX and Queen Kristina as well as one royal orb that was stolen by two unidentified men. The items that were stolen were originally interred in Karl IX’s grave but were later exhumed and put on display. The following day Swedish police raided two locations following the theft. On Thursday last week, Sweden declared “national alarm” following the theft of crown jewels.
